The Democratic Unionists have unveiled devolution proposals which could see a return of a form of power-sharing with Sinn Féin without prior decommissioning by paramilitaries.
The Rev Ian Paisley, leading his party's entire team of 33 Assembly members at a press launch yesterday, made it clear there would be no involvement in any future executive by Sinn Féin unless the IRA was wound up.
The DUP proposals, which appear to depart from its previous hardline position, outline three models for a restored Stormont.
The first of those models envisaged is a Corporate Assembly which has no Executive. Such an Assembly would resemble a grand local council, and power would be exercised on the basis of a weighted majority vote or on the consent of simple majorities on both unionist and nationalist sides.
The DUP also outlines how an Executive could be formed. It prefers a "Voluntary Coalition" model, similar to the current Government, in which parties would opt to work together. Its decisions would be subject to approval by weighted majority in the Assembly.
Its final option bears a close resemblance to the structure of the last Executive. This "Mandated Coalition" could be formed on the basis of the proportional strength of Assembly parties.
Membership of both coalition models would be dependent upon what the British prime minister calls acts of completion by the paramilitaries, or what the DUP calls "the Blair necessities".
The party's proposals were presented to Downing Street by a DUP delegation on Thursday.
The DUP insisted yesterday it would not stand in the way of the restoration of devolution. But it added only "true democrats" could be considered for participation in any Executive.
In other proposals, the party wants to see a streamlined administration with 72 rather than 108 Assembly members and six to eight departments to do the work of the current 10.
It also advocates the establishment of an Efficiency Commission to cut costs and the abolition of the Civic Forum.
The party's plans refer only to Strand 1 arrangements which are internal to Northern Ireland and there is no discussion of Strand 2 and 3 relationships involving the Republic and Britain.
Dr Ian Paisley made the initial presentation yesterday and the details of the proposals were explained by the deputy leader Mr Peter Robinson.
The DUP believes the voluntary coalition is the most effective administration, and claims: "We would be prepared to form a voluntary coalition with other democratic parties" - though not with Sinn Féin at present.
The DUP proposals allow for an early return of power to the Stormont Assembly at first, with the potential for two executive models flowing from that. But Sinn Féin participation in either model would be dependent on "acts of completion" by the paramilitaries.
The DUP document quotes Mr Blair on the issue, dubbing his demands the "Blair necessities".
Mr Robinson claimed that, under the Belfast Agreement, illegally-held weapons were an asset for republicans in that they were traded in return for concessions.
He said under the DUP plan, arms are a hindrance to political power at executive level.
The document also calls for an efficiency commission to streamline public administration, and for a smaller Assembly with less over-lapping of responsibility between Stormont departments and offices.
Mr Robinson said the proposals were carefully worked out, followed logically from party-policy papers, and were "serious, genuine proposals put forward in a positive mood".
Mr Nigel Dodds stressed his party's unity on the proposals, and claimed they would embark on "tireless, serious and determined" efforts to replace the Belfast Agreement which "had delivered not at all for unionism".
The party did not allow questions from reporters.
At the press conference, Dr Paisley paid a moving tribute to the late Mr Harry West, a former leader of the UUP, who died on Thursday.